Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Edition

Global Global

Leigh Diffey confronts criticism after Daytona regular season finale

Leigh Diffey has spoken on how he deals with the negativity that accompanies his role in broadcasting

Leigh Diffey

Leigh Diffey

Photo by: Michael L. Levitt

NBC Sports broadcaster Leigh Diffey has confronted criticism that he has received regarding his broadcasting style as the NASCAR Cup play-by-play announcer among other roles. He admits he does come across negativity in his career, but the positive moments he has with fans help pull him through.

In a discussion with the Daytona Beach News-Journal, he spoke about the negative effects of social media.

"You know, unfortunately, it's the state of the world," he said. "And I just think there's a lot of negativity… whether it be sports, politics, business, anything. Everybody tends to get on social media and say a lot more negative things than positive things.

"Anyway, look, the majority of the critics, or the negative Nellies… simply because of the way I speak," he continued. "I can't choose the way I speak, nor can any of them. We are who we are. We're all different for a reason."

Rather than sinking into the negativity, he celebrated the positivity that comes from his fan base.

"I'd rather take the positive stance and say, I've had regular interactions with the fans at the racetracks, both last year and this year already," he added. "I met with some wonderful fans just a couple of days ago at Watkins Glen, every day I was there. You gotta take the positives and plough on.

Leigh Diffey

Leigh Diffey

Photo by: Michael L. Levitt

"I haven't just done this in America. I've done this in Australia, I've done it in Europe, and now here in America. I haven't just done it in one place."

It's a rarity for public-facing figures to not come up against negativity, especially in sports where opinions and support can be so strong. 

"It comes with the job," he accepted. "When you're a public figure, people like to take shots. But it doesn't change the way I do my job. I still feel very fortunate and lucky to have this job and to be in the media as long as I have been.

 "I look at all the positives. I love what I do, and I know there are a lot of people out there who enjoy what I do. But it's the negative people who tend to make more noise about it, and you just have to block that out."

But what does he do with the pent-up negativity?

"It washes off," he confirmed.

"We use social media a lot to stay in touch with the athletes and other people we cover," he said. "It can be a really valuable tool. But you have to navigate it correctly and keep yourself balanced and focused on what's important.

"And what's important is the broadcast we produce every week for the fans."

Photos from Daytona - Race

Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

General view

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

General view

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet, Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet, Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet, Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Multi-car wreck

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Multi-car wreck

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

Multi-car wreck

Daytona - Saturday, in photos

NASCAR Cup
34
In this article
Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics
Previous article Denny Hamlin says Bubba Wallace at fault for pileup crash: "Not clear"
Next article Ryan Blaney responds to Alex Bowman's promise of "seven million beers" with counter-offer

Top Comments

Recommended for you

Winners and losers of IndyCar Snap-On Milwaukee Mile 250

Winners and losers of IndyCar Snap-On Milwaukee Mile 250

IndyCar
Milwaukee
Winners and losers of IndyCar Snap-On Milwaukee Mile 250
'We don't want a chess game' - FIA responds to claims F1’s 2026 cars are too complex

'We don't want a chess game' - FIA responds to claims F1’s 2026 cars are too complex

Formula 1
'We don't want a chess game' - FIA responds to claims F1’s 2026 cars are too complex
Denny Hamlin fires back after Mamba Smith's Daytona prank in viral X social media exchange

Denny Hamlin fires back after Mamba Smith's Daytona prank in viral X social media exchange

NASCAR Cup
Daytona II
Denny Hamlin fires back after Mamba Smith's Daytona prank in viral X social media exchange
Ryan Blaney responds to Alex Bowman's promise of "seven million beers" with counter-offer

Ryan Blaney responds to Alex Bowman's promise of "seven million beers" with counter-offer

NASCAR Cup
Daytona II
Ryan Blaney responds to Alex Bowman's promise of "seven million beers" with counter-offer
Leigh Diffey confronts criticism after Daytona regular season finale

Leigh Diffey confronts criticism after Daytona regular season finale

NASCAR Cup
Daytona II
Leigh Diffey confronts criticism after Daytona regular season finale
Alexander Rossi thrilled for ECR’s Milwaukee success after “missed opportunities”

Alexander Rossi thrilled for ECR’s Milwaukee success after “missed opportunities”

IndyCar
Milwaukee
Alexander Rossi thrilled for ECR’s Milwaukee success after “missed opportunities”
Denny Hamlin says Bubba Wallace at fault for pileup crash: "Not clear"

Denny Hamlin says Bubba Wallace at fault for pileup crash: "Not clear"

NASCAR Cup
Daytona II
Denny Hamlin says Bubba Wallace at fault for pileup crash: "Not clear"
Christian Rasmussen steals maiden IndyCar win after late weather caution

Christian Rasmussen steals maiden IndyCar win after late weather caution

IndyCar
Milwaukee
Christian Rasmussen steals maiden IndyCar win after late weather caution

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Edition

Global Global
Filters